Pioneer Pet and Smart Cat began many years ago when Betsy Lipscomb, the founder and president of Cats International, gathered old wooden fence posts from her farm in Wisconsin and gave them to cat owners to use for scratching posts. The posts were very popular and over the years were improved with the addition of sisal rope and a sturdy base.

Our company was conceived with the unique mission to provide products that are specifically designed to enhance the quality of life for animals by providing for their behavioral needs. This mission is what sets us apart from other companies. Pioneer Pet products, with their high quality design and construction, encourage the mental and physical stimulation of animals. The products are designed by behavior experts and all are widely tested and approved before reaching the market.

When we enter a product category, our intent is to always fundamentally rethink it. Innovation is key to what we do. Take fountains for example. For decades, dog and cat fountains had been complicated plastic contraptions that were pretty much impossible to keep clean. So we started with the basics, from the perspective of the pet as well as the pet’s owner. Cats and dogs need fountains to keep their drinking water clean and fresh. So what’s the simplest way to filter and circulate their water? The answer was a bowl-inside- a-bowl design that looks as simple, fluid and seamless as water itself. To top it off we made our fountains out of easy to clean quality materials that fit right in with the best of modern furnishings.

Our extensive manufacturing capabilities have now taken the farmhouse kitchen operation to new heights. The mission, however, is still the same—to provide superior products that will improve the quality of life for pets and their owners.

www.catsinternational.org